Dr Rowan Williams: my successor will need a thick skin to be the new Archbishop of Canterbury

Dr Rowan Williams warned his successor that the role of Archbishop of
Canterbury, which he is leaving after a turbulent decade to return to
academia, will not be an easy position to hold.

2:11PM GMT 16 Mar 2012

Dr Williams described the Church of England as a "great treasure" which was still a place where many people sought inspiration and comfort in times of need.

"I would like the successor that God would like," he said.

"I think that it is a job of immense demands and I would hope that my successor has the constitution of an ox and the skin of a rhinoceros, really.

"But he will, I think, have to look with positive, hopeful eyes on a Church which, for all its problems, is still for so many people, a place to which they resort in times of need and crisis, a place to which they look for inspiration.

In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace, he added: "It has been an immense privilege to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury over the past decade, and moving on has not been an easy decision.

"During the time remaining there is much to do, and I ask your prayers and support in this period and beyond."

Dr Williams will continue to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the Archbishop of Canterbury, both for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, until the end of the year, Lambeth Palace said.